sugar who doesn’t like sugar in the audience I
who doesn’t like sugar in the audience I
who doesn’t like sugar in the audience I think if you if you don’t like sugar I
think if you if you don’t like sugar I
think if you if you don’t like sugar I think you’re lying to yourself and why
think you’re lying to yourself and why
think you’re lying to yourself and why do we like sugar because sugar gives us
do we like sugar because sugar gives us
do we like sugar because sugar gives us energy and you know when you think about
energy and you know when you think about
energy and you know when you think about where does sugar come from and what
where does sugar come from and what
where does sugar come from and what sugar really is to me sugar is the
sugar really is to me sugar is the
sugar really is to me sugar is the energy of the Sun captured there for us
energy of the Sun captured there for us
energy of the Sun captured there for us to use and it comes from plants plants
to use and it comes from plants plants
to use and it comes from plants plants are the only we can synthesize sugars
are the only we can synthesize sugars
are the only we can synthesize sugars but we have to start from something that
but we have to start from something that
but we have to start from something that comes from plants and how do plants get
comes from plants and how do plants get
comes from plants and how do plants get it they get it through a process called
it they get it through a process called
it they get it through a process called photosynthesis which i think is really
photosynthesis which i think is really
photosynthesis which i think is really the first or maybe the second wonder of
the first or maybe the second wonder of
the first or maybe the second wonder of the world that they can that they can
the world that they can that they can
the world that they can that they can capture the energy of the Sun in a way
capture the energy of the Sun in a way
capture the energy of the Sun in a way that they can store and use for other
that they can store and use for other
that they can store and use for other things and it’s a complicated process
things and it’s a complicated process
things and it’s a complicated process but basically to boil it down when it
but basically to boil it down when it
but basically to boil it down when it comes down to is they’re taking water
comes down to is they’re taking water
comes down to is they’re taking water from the ground and carbon dioxide from
from the ground and carbon dioxide from
from the ground and carbon dioxide from the air and using the energy of sunlight
the air and using the energy of sunlight
the air and using the energy of sunlight to mash those molecules together and
to mash those molecules together and
to mash those molecules together and squeeze out a little oxygen and what
squeeze out a little oxygen and what
squeeze out a little oxygen and what you’re left are these carbon hydrogen
you’re left are these carbon hydrogen
you’re left are these carbon hydrogen oxygen chains which is basically sugar
oxygen chains which is basically sugar
oxygen chains which is basically sugar and they use that for everything they
and they use that for everything they
and they use that for everything they need to do when you look at plants
need to do when you look at plants
need to do when you look at plants growing you know in a garden or in the
growing you know in a garden or in the
growing you know in a garden or in the wild you’re not thinking about this
wild you’re not thinking about this
wild you’re not thinking about this process of photosynthesis and what’s
process of photosynthesis and what’s
process of photosynthesis and what’s happening but behind the scenes they’re
happening but behind the scenes they’re
happening but behind the scenes they’re taking that sugar and they’re using it
taking that sugar and they’re using it
taking that sugar and they’re using it for a whole array of all baby there we
for a whole array of all baby there we
for a whole array of all baby there we go a whole array of different things
go a whole array of different things
go a whole array of different things that they need to grow and to survive
that they need to grow and to survive
that they need to grow and to survive and to bloom and to reproduce I think of
and to bloom and to reproduce I think of
and to bloom and to reproduce I think of my job as a horticulturist is really a
my job as a horticulturist is really a
my job as a horticulturist is really a manager in the photosynthesis Factory
manager in the photosynthesis Factory
manager in the photosynthesis Factory right and you know what I’m out in the
right and you know what I’m out in the
right and you know what I’m out in the garden what I’m doing is trying to get
garden what I’m doing is trying to get
garden what I’m doing is trying to get plants to grow their best so that they
plants to grow their best so that they
plants to grow their best so that they can bloom they can produce more flowers
can bloom they can produce more flowers
can bloom they can produce more flowers more fruits etc this is a picture of a
more fruits etc this is a picture of a
more fruits etc this is a picture of a wild iris in the woods on the left and
wild iris in the woods on the left and
wild iris in the woods on the left and then when you bring it out into the
then when you bring it out into the
then when you bring it out into the garden where you’re giving it more water
garden where you’re giving it more water
garden where you’re giving it more water and fertilizer and it’s flowering more
and fertilizer and it’s flowering more
and fertilizer and it’s flowering more so it makes sense that you’re how
so it makes sense that you’re how
so it makes sense that you’re how helping that plant to photosynthesize
helping that plant to photosynthesize
helping that plant to photosynthesize more to make more of that sugar that it
more to make more of that sugar that it
more to make more of that sugar that it can use to produce more flowers and
can use to produce more flowers and
can use to produce more flowers and that’s sort of the essence of gardening
that’s sort of the essence of gardening
that’s sort of the essence of gardening in a way you can see that with trees if
in a way you can see that with trees if
in a way you can see that with trees if you’ve ever looked at tree rings when
you’ve ever looked at tree rings when
you’ve ever looked at tree rings when conditions are good during a year that
conditions are good during a year that
conditions are good during a year that that tree produces more wood than it
that tree produces more wood than it
that tree produces more wood than it does in a year when conditions aren’t so
does in a year when conditions aren’t so
does in a year when conditions aren’t so good the red line not so good the green
good the red line not so good the green
good the red line not so good the green line a better year so it grew more if
line a better year so it grew more if
line a better year so it grew more if you’ve grown vegetables you know that
you’ve grown vegetables you know that
you’ve grown vegetables you know that you do a good job growing your Tomatoes
you do a good job growing your Tomatoes
you do a good job growing your Tomatoes you’re going to get a lot more fruit
you’re going to get a lot more fruit
you’re going to get a lot more fruit it’s very tangible we don’t think
it’s very tangible we don’t think
it’s very tangible we don’t think necessarily about what happens below
necessarily about what happens below
necessarily about what happens below ground but that’s important too you know
ground but that’s important too you know
ground but that’s important too you know really that half the plant is roots that
really that half the plant is roots that
really that half the plant is roots that at our underground that we can’t see but
at our underground that we can’t see but
at our underground that we can’t see but really in some ways probably the most
really in some ways probably the most
really in some ways probably the most important part of that plan but through
important part of that plan but through
important part of that plan but through photosynthesis that plant is growing
photosynthesis that plant is growing
photosynthesis that plant is growing roots I like this graphic because it
roots I like this graphic because it
roots I like this graphic because it sort of gives you the idea that here’s a
sort of gives you the idea that here’s a
sort of gives you the idea that here’s a tree and we see the above-ground part of
tree and we see the above-ground part of
tree and we see the above-ground part of the tree but underground is just as
the tree but underground is just as
the tree but underground is just as complex a branching pattern a structure
complex a branching pattern a structure
complex a branching pattern a structure pattern that that plant needs to grow in
pattern that that plant needs to grow in
pattern that that plant needs to grow in those roots that you see there if there
those roots that you see there if there
those roots that you see there if there were soil around them obviously they’d
were soil around them obviously they’d
were soil around them obviously they’d be anchoring that tree to the ground
be anchoring that tree to the ground
be anchoring that tree to the ground preventing from blowing over but roots
preventing from blowing over but roots
preventing from blowing over but roots function in other important ways too
function in other important ways too
function in other important ways too they’re really the the the connection to
they’re really the the the connection to
they’re really the the the connection to a whole biological community underground
a whole biological community underground
a whole biological community underground that the tree depends on to survive what
that the tree depends on to survive what
that the tree depends on to survive what you see there are kind of the structural
you see there are kind of the structural
you see there are kind of the structural roots but if you go and look in detail
roots but if you go and look in detail
roots but if you go and look in detail at roots what you see are these little
at roots what you see are these little
at roots what you see are these little furry structures on those root tips all
furry structures on those root tips all
furry structures on those root tips all these tiny little roots that are growing
these tiny little roots that are growing
these tiny little roots that are growing and dying on the ground are connecting
and dying on the ground are connecting
and dying on the ground are connecting with the soil around them and those
with the soil around them and those
with the soil around them and those little root hairs as they’re called are
little root hairs as they’re called are
little root hairs as they’re called are absorbing nutrients water from the soil
absorbing nutrients water from the soil
absorbing nutrients water from the soil that’s carried up into the plant into
that’s carried up into the plant into
that’s carried up into the plant into the leaves and allows that plant to grow
the leaves and allows that plant to grow
the leaves and allows that plant to grow and photosynthesize and then it flows
and photosynthesize and then it flows
and photosynthesize and then it flows that energy flows back down into the
that energy flows back down into the
that energy flows back down into the roots again so there’s a sort of upward
roots again so there’s a sort of upward
roots again so there’s a sort of upward and downward flow that’s going on and so
and downward flow that’s going on and so
and downward flow that’s going on and so the more connection that that root
the more connection that that root
the more connection that that root system has with the soil the better it
system has with the soil the better it
system has with the soil the better it can utilize those resources and
can utilize those resources and
can utilize those resources and photosynthesis works better and
photosynthesis works better and
photosynthesis works better and everything work
everything work
everything work better so it’s really sort of a
better so it’s really sort of a
better so it’s really sort of a neurological connection with the soil in
neurological connection with the soil in
neurological connection with the soil in a metaphorical way but plants early on
a metaphorical way but plants early on
a metaphorical way but plants early on when they made the leap from the water
when they made the leap from the water
when they made the leap from the water onto land figured out that they could do
onto land figured out that they could do
onto land figured out that they could do a much better job if they partnered with
a much better job if they partnered with
a much better job if they partnered with organisms
organisms
organisms underground to create a much more
underground to create a much more
underground to create a much more intricate connection with that living
intricate connection with that living
intricate connection with that living community and that’s really the essence
community and that’s really the essence
community and that’s really the essence of symbiosis of you know mutualistic
of symbiosis of you know mutualistic
of symbiosis of you know mutualistic relationship where both parties get
relationship where both parties get
relationship where both parties get something out of the relationship and
something out of the relationship and
something out of the relationship and what you notice when you study plants
what you notice when you study plants
what you notice when you study plants that when they have this carbohydrate
that when they have this carbohydrate
that when they have this carbohydrate budget the sugar budget which is
budget the sugar budget which is
budget the sugar budget which is essentially what this is where are they
essentially what this is where are they
essentially what this is where are they putting those resources they’re putting
putting those resources they’re putting
putting those resources they’re putting a lot of resources to the symbiotic
a lot of resources to the symbiotic
a lot of resources to the symbiotic relationships on the ground have you
relationships on the ground have you
relationships on the ground have you heard of mycorrhizae before mycorrhizae
heard of mycorrhizae before mycorrhizae
heard of mycorrhizae before mycorrhizae is it mycorrhizal roots are an
is it mycorrhizal roots are an
is it mycorrhizal roots are an interesting fusion of a fungus and a
interesting fusion of a fungus and a
interesting fusion of a fungus and a plant and so this is a picture of you
plant and so this is a picture of you
plant and so this is a picture of you can see the kind of the yellow there
can see the kind of the yellow there
can see the kind of the yellow there that’s the that’s the pine seedlings
that’s the that’s the pine seedlings
that’s the that’s the pine seedlings roots and the all the white that you see
roots and the all the white that you see
roots and the all the white that you see there are the the basically the fungal
there are the the basically the fungal
there are the the basically the fungal roots of this mycorrhizal fungus that is
roots of this mycorrhizal fungus that is
roots of this mycorrhizal fungus that is fused with the pine and created it’s
fused with the pine and created it’s
fused with the pine and created it’s incredible surface area you can see why
incredible surface area you can see why
incredible surface area you can see why I think of it as a neurological
I think of it as a neurological
I think of it as a neurological connection with the soil create all that
connection with the soil create all that
connection with the soil create all that surface area to absorb nutrients for the
surface area to absorb nutrients for the
surface area to absorb nutrients for the plant I took this picture out in my
plant I took this picture out in my
plant I took this picture out in my backyard and this is a white pine root
backyard and this is a white pine root
backyard and this is a white pine root going down through the picture there and
going down through the picture there and
going down through the picture there and branching off and you can see all the
branching off and you can see all the
branching off and you can see all the white splotches there those are the
white splotches there those are the
white splotches there those are the hyphae the the roots so to speak of the
hyphae the the roots so to speak of the
hyphae the the roots so to speak of the fungus it’s partnered with now they’re
fungus it’s partnered with now they’re
fungus it’s partnered with now they’re growing around the root of that pine and
growing around the root of that pine and
growing around the root of that pine and as they digest that wood that you see
as they digest that wood that you see
as they digest that wood that you see them growing on they’re absorbing
them growing on they’re absorbing
them growing on they’re absorbing nutrients out of there and feeding it
nutrients out of there and feeding it
nutrients out of there and feeding it into the tree and in return the tree is
into the tree and in return the tree is
into the tree and in return the tree is taking some of that sugar that’s making
taking some of that sugar that’s making
taking some of that sugar that’s making through photosynthesis and leeching it
through photosynthesis and leeching it
through photosynthesis and leeching it out and feeding the fungus so the fungus
out and feeding the fungus so the fungus
out and feeding the fungus so the fungus is doing things the tree can’t do and
is doing things the tree can’t do and
is doing things the tree can’t do and the tree is doing things that the fungus
the tree is doing things that the fungus
the tree is doing things that the fungus can’t do because when you think about it
can’t do because when you think about it
can’t do because when you think about it you know that what that tree is doing is
you know that what that tree is doing is
you know that what that tree is doing is I jet digesting it’s dead self things
I jet digesting it’s dead self things
I jet digesting it’s dead self things that have Slough tauf and fell down to
that have Slough tauf and fell down to
that have Slough tauf and fell down to the ground have gone to the soil and it
the ground have gone to the soil and it
the ground have gone to the soil and it needs to recapture those nutrients too
needs to recapture those nutrients too
needs to recapture those nutrients too to be able to grow again
to be able to grow again
to be able to grow again plants don’t have internal stomachs
plants don’t have internal stomachs
plants don’t have internal stomachs basically the soil is their stomach and
basically the soil is their stomach and
basically the soil is their stomach and it’s something that I’ve kind of you
it’s something that I’ve kind of you
it’s something that I’ve kind of you know thought about through the years
know thought about through the years
know thought about through the years this concept of the soil has the stomach
this concept of the soil has the stomach
this concept of the soil has the stomach for the plants and the soil is this
for the plants and the soil is this
for the plants and the soil is this living community that we need to view
living community that we need to view
living community that we need to view that way because the reality is in the
that way because the reality is in the
that way because the reality is in the in the 20th century and now in the 21st
in the 20th century and now in the 21st
in the 20th century and now in the 21st century we see soil as just you know you
century we see soil as just you know you
century we see soil as just you know you track it across the carpet it gets under
track it across the carpet it gets under
track it across the carpet it gets under your fingernails if you grow plants you
your fingernails if you grow plants you
your fingernails if you grow plants you know it’s the stuff that you have to
know it’s the stuff that you have to
know it’s the stuff that you have to plant the plants in but we don’t think
plant the plants in but we don’t think
plant the plants in but we don’t think about it as an ecosystem and the Green
about it as an ecosystem and the Green
about it as an ecosystem and the Green Revolution that triggered this you know
Revolution that triggered this you know
Revolution that triggered this you know huge advances in agriculture in the 20th
huge advances in agriculture in the 20th
huge advances in agriculture in the 20th century that allow us to feed this
century that allow us to feed this
century that allow us to feed this growing population of the world was done
growing population of the world was done
growing population of the world was done through the the how we figured out how
through the the how we figured out how
through the the how we figured out how to take petroleum products and create
to take petroleum products and create
to take petroleum products and create fertilizer that plants can use to grow
fertilizer that plants can use to grow
fertilizer that plants can use to grow and so we put these chemical fertilizers
and so we put these chemical fertilizers
and so we put these chemical fertilizers on the soil and the plants grow but
on the soil and the plants grow but
on the soil and the plants grow but basically it kills off over time the
basically it kills off over time the
basically it kills off over time the natural community in the soil the
natural community in the soil the
natural community in the soil the natural ecosystem the soil because we’re
natural ecosystem the soil because we’re
natural ecosystem the soil because we’re not really feeding the soil stomach it’s
not really feeding the soil stomach it’s
not really feeding the soil stomach it’s basically like sticking an intravenous
basically like sticking an intravenous
basically like sticking an intravenous needle in your arm and thinking I can
needle in your arm and thinking I can
needle in your arm and thinking I can live this way for the rest of my life
live this way for the rest of my life
live this way for the rest of my life with a drip bag of glucose syrup going
with a drip bag of glucose syrup going
with a drip bag of glucose syrup going into your arm so one of the best things
into your arm so one of the best things
into your arm so one of the best things that I can suggest you do if you’re
that I can suggest you do if you’re
that I can suggest you do if you’re interested in in plants and especially
interested in in plants and especially
interested in in plants and especially growing plants just think about the soil
growing plants just think about the soil
growing plants just think about the soil think about feeding the soil we do it
think about feeding the soil we do it
think about feeding the soil we do it through adding compost which is
through adding compost which is
through adding compost which is partially digested food to feed the soil
partially digested food to feed the soil
partially digested food to feed the soil system we spread it on this time of year
system we spread it on this time of year
system we spread it on this time of year we’re going out and you know spreading
we’re going out and you know spreading
we’re going out and you know spreading the compost on the ground you can see
the compost on the ground you can see
the compost on the ground you can see the effect that’s having if you if you
the effect that’s having if you if you
the effect that’s having if you if you look at that that picture on the left
look at that that picture on the left
look at that that picture on the left there that’s a sort of sterile dead soil
there that’s a sort of sterile dead soil
there that’s a sort of sterile dead soil the kind of soil that you get if you
the kind of soil that you get if you
the kind of soil that you get if you just add chemical fertilizers to it over
just add chemical fertilizers to it over
just add chemical fertilizers to it over years it the roots can’t get through and
years it the roots can’t get through and
years it the roots can’t get through and it’s very compacted there’s no life in
it’s very compacted there’s no life in
it’s very compacted there’s no life in that soil and the middle picture is a
that soil and the middle picture is a
that soil and the middle picture is a soil that I just put compost on the
soil that I just put compost on the
soil that I just put compost on the surface of it and over a couple of years
surface of it and over a couple of years
surface of it and over a couple of years as that breaks down the organisms in
as that breaks down the organisms in
as that breaks down the organisms in that soil of create chemicals that break
that soil of create chemicals that break
that soil of create chemicals that break that soil up so even the even without
that soil up so even the even without
that soil up so even the even without mixing it in it’s become more friable
mixing it in it’s become more friable
mixing it in it’s become more friable the roots can penetrate more deeply into
the roots can penetrate more deeply into
the roots can penetrate more deeply into the soil
the soil
the soil and the soil comes alive again so
and the soil comes alive again so
and the soil comes alive again so fortunately it’s very easy to sort of
fortunately it’s very easy to sort of
fortunately it’s very easy to sort of you know reinvigorate a dead soil
you know reinvigorate a dead soil
you know reinvigorate a dead soil I said compost is you know what I’d like
I said compost is you know what I’d like
I said compost is you know what I’d like to use but I prefer not to use bagged
to use but I prefer not to use bagged
to use but I prefer not to use bagged compost because when you buy compost
compost because when you buy compost
compost because when you buy compost you’re buying dead organic material and
you’re buying dead organic material and
you’re buying dead organic material and you’re also buying this living community
you’re also buying this living community
you’re also buying this living community that’s breaking down that organic
that’s breaking down that organic
that’s breaking down that organic material so I like to get it
material so I like to get it
material so I like to get it you know when it’s steaming hot and full
you know when it’s steaming hot and full
you know when it’s steaming hot and full of life because when you think about it
of life because when you think about it
of life because when you think about it you know heat means life and so if
you know heat means life and so if
you know heat means life and so if you’re using this material that’s warm
you’re using this material that’s warm
you’re using this material that’s warm like that that means it’s living and you
like that that means it’s living and you
like that that means it’s living and you put it on the ground and the results are
put it on the ground and the results are
put it on the ground and the results are really spectacular and we we spread this
really spectacular and we we spread this
really spectacular and we we spread this around you can see this is a planting at
around you can see this is a planting at
around you can see this is a planting at the Botanical Gardens this was put in
the Botanical Gardens this was put in
the Botanical Gardens this was put in and then just two months later you can
and then just two months later you can
and then just two months later you can see the way the plants have grown using
see the way the plants have grown using
see the way the plants have grown using this system here’s another picture just
this system here’s another picture just
this system here’s another picture just in planting in the middle of May and
in planting in the middle of May and
in planting in the middle of May and here just a couple months later how
here just a couple months later how
here just a couple months later how everything has really grown and filled
everything has really grown and filled
everything has really grown and filled in people ask us you know how do you
in people ask us you know how do you
in people ask us you know how do you grow all these plants you must use a lot
grow all these plants you must use a lot
grow all these plants you must use a lot of pesticides and everything to do it we
of pesticides and everything to do it we
of pesticides and everything to do it we don’t spray anything on these plants we
don’t spray anything on these plants we
don’t spray anything on these plants we just mainly we feed the soil we pick the
just mainly we feed the soil we pick the
just mainly we feed the soil we pick the right plants and we let nature do the
right plants and we let nature do the
right plants and we let nature do the rest click one of the amazing things
rest click one of the amazing things
rest click one of the amazing things that you learn when you study the the
that you learn when you study the the
that you learn when you study the the soil is the amount of their carbohydrate
soil is the amount of their carbohydrate
soil is the amount of their carbohydrate budget all that sugar that the plants
budget all that sugar that the plants
budget all that sugar that the plants are making that they leach out into the
are making that they leach out into the
are making that they leach out into the ground this is the area around a root
ground this is the area around a root
ground this is the area around a root tip that you see and you can see that
tip that you see and you can see that
tip that you see and you can see that kind of stippling look there that’s
kind of stippling look there that’s
kind of stippling look there that’s basically the the the rhizosphere where
basically the the the rhizosphere where
basically the the the rhizosphere where the plan is suiting sugars out to feed
the plan is suiting sugars out to feed
the plan is suiting sugars out to feed these organisms in the ground and
these organisms in the ground and
these organisms in the ground and they’re doing that
they’re doing that
they’re doing that partly for their own defense the by
partly for their own defense the by
partly for their own defense the by creating this beneficial community of
creating this beneficial community of
creating this beneficial community of life around the roots they are actually
life around the roots they are actually
life around the roots they are actually attacking problem things that are
attacking problem things that are
attacking problem things that are killing off the roots so therefore
killing off the roots so therefore
killing off the roots so therefore providing for their own defense because
providing for their own defense because
providing for their own defense because that’s you know very important when your
that’s you know very important when your
that’s you know very important when your plant you can’t run away when you’re a
plant you can’t run away when you’re a
plant you can’t run away when you’re a plant you have to be thinking about you
plant you have to be thinking about you
plant you have to be thinking about you know where am I going to survive how I’m
know where am I going to survive how I’m
know where am I going to survive how I’m going to survive and so plants do that
going to survive and so plants do that
going to survive and so plants do that through a number of means by utilizing
through a number of means by utilizing
through a number of means by utilizing other organisms by creating poisons
other organisms by creating poisons
other organisms by creating poisons poisons and defensive chemicals are very
poisons and defensive chemicals are very
poisons and defensive chemicals are very important too
important too
important too a large part of the sugar budget goes
a large part of the sugar budget goes
a large part of the sugar budget goes into into this and if you look at this
into into this and if you look at this
into into this and if you look at this electron microscope picture you see that
electron microscope picture you see that
electron microscope picture you see that looks like a caterpillar down there
looks like a caterpillar down there
looks like a caterpillar down there that’s a glandular hair that’s filled
that’s a glandular hair that’s filled
that’s a glandular hair that’s filled with poisons there’s a really
with poisons there’s a really
with poisons there’s a really interesting study that was done on this
interesting study that was done on this
interesting study that was done on this is a wild tobacco while tobacco plants
is a wild tobacco while tobacco plants
is a wild tobacco while tobacco plants are fed on by this tomato hornworm
are fed on by this tomato hornworm
are fed on by this tomato hornworm caterpillar when that horn worm starts
caterpillar when that horn worm starts
caterpillar when that horn worm starts to chew the leaves it breaks up in those
to chew the leaves it breaks up in those
to chew the leaves it breaks up in those glandular hairs releases a chemical into
glandular hairs releases a chemical into
glandular hairs releases a chemical into the air and that’s picked up by other
the air and that’s picked up by other
the air and that’s picked up by other tobacco plants in the area that start to
tobacco plants in the area that start to
tobacco plants in the area that start to build up their own defensive chemicals
build up their own defensive chemicals
build up their own defensive chemicals to prepare for the attack of the
to prepare for the attack of the
to prepare for the attack of the caterpillar so it also goes out into the
caterpillar so it also goes out into the
caterpillar so it also goes out into the air and it’s picked up by tiny little
air and it’s picked up by tiny little
air and it’s picked up by tiny little wasps that follow this chemical trail
wasps that follow this chemical trail
wasps that follow this chemical trail and parasitize a caterpillar and kill it
and parasitize a caterpillar and kill it
and parasitize a caterpillar and kill it so we we think plants can’t talk but
so we we think plants can’t talk but
so we we think plants can’t talk but plants communicate through chemicals
plants communicate through chemicals
plants communicate through chemicals through these pheromone chemicals that
through these pheromone chemicals that
through these pheromone chemicals that they release to the air they also in a
they release to the air they also in a
they release to the air they also in a respond in in a similar fashion that we
respond in in a similar fashion that we
respond in in a similar fashion that we do to a you know an attack immune system
do to a you know an attack immune system
do to a you know an attack immune system response that plants have two things
response that plants have two things
response that plants have two things that happen to them when that horn worm
that happen to them when that horn worm
that happen to them when that horn worm is feeding on that plant the hormone
is feeding on that plant the hormone
is feeding on that plant the hormone that’s involved in that immune system
that’s involved in that immune system
that’s involved in that immune system response is salicylic acid which is
response is salicylic acid which is
response is salicylic acid which is basically the chemical and aspirin and
basically the chemical and aspirin and
basically the chemical and aspirin and you can grind up aspirin and spray that
you can grind up aspirin and spray that
you can grind up aspirin and spray that on a tobacco plant and cause that same
on a tobacco plant and cause that same
on a tobacco plant and cause that same immune system response that you get
immune system response that you get
immune system response that you get through feeding of the feeding of that
through feeding of the feeding of that
through feeding of the feeding of that caterpillar without the Dilla Terius
caterpillar without the Dilla Terius
caterpillar without the Dilla Terius effects of of the spray plant pigments
effects of of the spray plant pigments
effects of of the spray plant pigments are defensive chemicals too we don’t
are defensive chemicals too we don’t
are defensive chemicals too we don’t really think about them in that way
really think about them in that way
really think about them in that way these are the colors of leaves the Reds
these are the colors of leaves the Reds
these are the colors of leaves the Reds the orange and the yellows but they do
the orange and the yellows but they do
the orange and the yellows but they do things like prevent fungal attacks they
things like prevent fungal attacks they
things like prevent fungal attacks they prevent protect against cold the one of
prevent protect against cold the one of
prevent protect against cold the one of the most interesting groups of chemical
the most interesting groups of chemical
the most interesting groups of chemical plant pigments or anthocyanins and these
plant pigments or anthocyanins and these
plant pigments or anthocyanins and these are what we know of as antioxidants when
are what we know of as antioxidants when
are what we know of as antioxidants when we eat fruits rich in antioxidants it
we eat fruits rich in antioxidants it
we eat fruits rich in antioxidants it helps prevent
helps prevent
helps prevent supposedly you know helps us keep us
supposedly you know helps us keep us
supposedly you know helps us keep us healthier again and what’s interesting
healthier again and what’s interesting
healthier again and what’s interesting is that where you find the greatest
is that where you find the greatest
is that where you find the greatest amount of antioxidants and most plants
amount of antioxidants and most plants
amount of antioxidants and most plants is in the fruits that are available for
is in the fruits that are available for
is in the fruits that are available for other things ease the idea with the
other things ease the idea with the
other things ease the idea with the strawberries that something eats that
strawberries that something eats that
strawberries that something eats that and then takes it walk somewhere else
and then takes it walk somewhere else
and then takes it walk somewhere else and then poops it out and then the
and then poops it out and then the
and then poops it out and then the strawberry plants grow there and so I
strawberry plants grow there and so I
strawberry plants grow there and so I think it’s kind of interesting that the
think it’s kind of interesting that the
think it’s kind of interesting that the plant is providing this in some ways to
plant is providing this in some ways to
plant is providing this in some ways to keep its seed vector healthy so they can
keep its seed vector healthy so they can
keep its seed vector healthy so they can do its job and spread those seeds
do its job and spread those seeds
do its job and spread those seeds somewhere else so think about that the
somewhere else so think about that the
somewhere else so think about that the next time you’re eating a strawberry
next time you’re eating a strawberry
next time you’re eating a strawberry with that plant I want you to do they
with that plant I want you to do they
with that plant I want you to do they also prevent you know cold damage
also prevent you know cold damage
also prevent you know cold damage camouflage that sort of thing but it’s
camouflage that sort of thing but it’s
camouflage that sort of thing but it’s what it is
what it is
what it is we one of the most beautiful things
we one of the most beautiful things
we one of the most beautiful things about plant pigments is what happens in
about plant pigments is what happens in
about plant pigments is what happens in the fall
the fall
the fall and this is also one of the greatest
and this is also one of the greatest
and this is also one of the greatest enigmas too because when the when a leaf
enigmas too because when the when a leaf
enigmas too because when the when a leaf is dying and all the sugar that it’s
is dying and all the sugar that it’s
is dying and all the sugar that it’s making it can’t transfer that sugar down
making it can’t transfer that sugar down
making it can’t transfer that sugar down to the roots it’s trapped in the leaf
to the roots it’s trapped in the leaf
to the roots it’s trapped in the leaf and so that leaf just turns that sugar
and so that leaf just turns that sugar
and so that leaf just turns that sugar into these beautiful pigments it’s
into these beautiful pigments it’s
into these beautiful pigments it’s almost like it wants to go out and a
almost like it wants to go out and a
almost like it wants to go out and a glaze a blaze of glory because it has
glaze a blaze of glory because it has
glaze a blaze of glory because it has nothing else left to do entitle this
nothing else left to do entitle this
nothing else left to do entitle this talk as sugar sex and poison so I had to
talk as sugar sex and poison so I had to
talk as sugar sex and poison so I had to end with a little bit of a sex in the
end with a little bit of a sex in the
end with a little bit of a sex in the end up fortunately sex in plants is very
end up fortunately sex in plants is very
end up fortunately sex in plants is very g-rated flowers everything happens
g-rated flowers everything happens
g-rated flowers everything happens behind the you know the veil of the
behind the you know the veil of the
behind the you know the veil of the flower but basically the the colorful
flower but basically the the colorful
flower but basically the the colorful flowers that you see are designed to
flowers that you see are designed to
flowers that you see are designed to attract pollinators as we learned about
attract pollinators as we learned about
attract pollinators as we learned about from Danielle’s talk that come and take
from Danielle’s talk that come and take
from Danielle’s talk that come and take pollen the yellow substance in that
pollen the yellow substance in that
pollen the yellow substance in that picture and move it to the next flower
picture and move it to the next flower
picture and move it to the next flower and unite it with an unfertilized egg
and unite it with an unfertilized egg
and unite it with an unfertilized egg and you get baby plants out of it but
and you get baby plants out of it but
and you get baby plants out of it but the problem is pollen is very expensive
the problem is pollen is very expensive
the problem is pollen is very expensive to produce takes a lot of sugar to make
to produce takes a lot of sugar to make
to produce takes a lot of sugar to make pollen so what a lot of plants have
pollen so what a lot of plants have
pollen so what a lot of plants have figured out how to do is to trick
figured out how to do is to trick
figured out how to do is to trick insects with something a little less
insects with something a little less
insects with something a little less expensive and that’s basically sugar
expensive and that’s basically sugar
expensive and that’s basically sugar water or nectar so flowers are
water or nectar so flowers are
water or nectar so flowers are structured in a way to fool the insects
structured in a way to fool the insects
structured in a way to fool the insects so that they avoid the pollen for the
so that they avoid the pollen for the
so that they avoid the pollen for the most part and go for this cheap sugar
most part and go for this cheap sugar
most part and go for this cheap sugar reward I think if you ask flowers about
reward I think if you ask flowers about
reward I think if you ask flowers about insects they’d probably say they’re so
insects they’d probably say they’re so
insects they’d probably say they’re so you know that
you know that
you know that stupid jokes because they they’re able
stupid jokes because they they’re able
stupid jokes because they they’re able to get away with providing this little
to get away with providing this little
to get away with providing this little reward do all that free service then
reward do all that free service then
reward do all that free service then Danielle was talking about here you’ve
Danielle was talking about here you’ve
Danielle was talking about here you’ve got that sort of a honey colored
got that sort of a honey colored
got that sort of a honey colored background to that flower the bee sees
background to that flower the bee sees
background to that flower the bee sees that goes in goes right past the pollen
that goes in goes right past the pollen
that goes in goes right past the pollen and pollinates that flower hummingbirds
and pollinates that flower hummingbirds
and pollinates that flower hummingbirds as they go in to feed on this Cardinal
as they go in to feed on this Cardinal
as they go in to feed on this Cardinal flower are getting dabbed in the
flower are getting dabbed in the
flower are getting dabbed in the forehead with palm where they can’t
forehead with palm where they can’t
forehead with palm where they can’t reach it this flower the butterfly is
reach it this flower the butterfly is
reach it this flower the butterfly is getting dusted on its belly with pollen
getting dusted on its belly with pollen
getting dusted on its belly with pollen as it’s going for the nectar so they’re
as it’s going for the nectar so they’re
as it’s going for the nectar so they’re the structure of these things that
the structure of these things that
the structure of these things that designed very effectively to fool the
designed very effectively to fool the
designed very effectively to fool the insect or you know or the bird to do the
insect or you know or the bird to do the
insect or you know or the bird to do the plants bidding this is a Jack I mean
plants bidding this is a Jack I mean
plants bidding this is a Jack I mean this is a skunk cabbage which grows in
this is a skunk cabbage which grows in
this is a skunk cabbage which grows in the woods around here it produces a
the woods around here it produces a
the woods around here it produces a rotting fetid insect smell and so flies
rotting fetid insect smell and so flies
rotting fetid insect smell and so flies come into this and they lay their eggs
come into this and they lay their eggs
come into this and they lay their eggs inside the flower and pollinate it but
inside the flower and pollinate it but
inside the flower and pollinate it but of course the eggs don’t do anything the
of course the eggs don’t do anything the
of course the eggs don’t do anything the Flies die there are other plants that
Flies die there are other plants that
Flies die there are other plants that are even more insidious this one it
are even more insidious this one it
are even more insidious this one it looks like the inside of a nice furry
looks like the inside of a nice furry
looks like the inside of a nice furry dead mammal and smells that way too this
dead mammal and smells that way too this
dead mammal and smells that way too this one looks like it already has fly eggs
one looks like it already has fly eggs
one looks like it already has fly eggs all over it so the Flies think this must
all over it so the Flies think this must
all over it so the Flies think this must be a good spot they lay their eggs on
be a good spot they lay their eggs on
be a good spot they lay their eggs on there and so they’re pollinating the
there and so they’re pollinating the
there and so they’re pollinating the plant but of course their own
plant but of course their own
plant but of course their own reproduction has come to a halt another
reproduction has come to a halt another
reproduction has come to a halt another one that I like is a this is a wild
one that I like is a this is a wild
one that I like is a this is a wild flower that grows in the Midwestern
flower that grows in the Midwestern
flower that grows in the Midwestern prairies a blazing star and this
prairies a blazing star and this
prairies a blazing star and this releases the sex pheromone of monarch
releases the sex pheromone of monarch
releases the sex pheromone of monarch butterflies and so if you grow this
butterflies and so if you grow this
butterflies and so if you grow this plant every monarch in the neighborhood
plant every monarch in the neighborhood
plant every monarch in the neighborhood will come and feed on this plant it is
will come and feed on this plant it is
will come and feed on this plant it is drawn in by that sex pheromone and then
drawn in by that sex pheromone and then
drawn in by that sex pheromone and then pollinate the plant in the meantime you
pollinate the plant in the meantime you
pollinate the plant in the meantime you know sex is a very powerful motivator
know sex is a very powerful motivator
know sex is a very powerful motivator even for insects and and some plants are
even for insects and and some plants are
even for insects and and some plants are very effective at using it in that way
very effective at using it in that way
very effective at using it in that way we learned about bumblebees a little bit
we learned about bumblebees a little bit
we learned about bumblebees a little bit earlier in Europe there’s a species of
earlier in Europe there’s a species of
earlier in Europe there’s a species of orchid called the bee orcas or oprah’s
orchid called the bee orcas or oprah’s
orchid called the bee orcas or oprah’s and they’re designed to mimic both the
and they’re designed to mimic both the
and they’re designed to mimic both the look and the smell of a female bee and
look and the smell of a female bee and
look and the smell of a female bee and male bees see this flower and they mate
male bees see this flower and they mate
male bees see this flower and they mate with the flower and all they get for
with the flower and all they get for
with the flower and all they get for their effort is basically the
their effort is basically the
their effort is basically the a little sack of pollen dabbed on the
a little sack of pollen dabbed on the
a little sack of pollen dabbed on the back of their abdomen and so then you
back of their abdomen and so then you
back of their abdomen and so then you know being stupid insects as a plant as
know being stupid insects as a plant as
know being stupid insects as a plant as the flowers would say they would go and
the flowers would say they would go and
the flowers would say they would go and they’ll mate with another one pollinate
they’ll mate with another one pollinate
they’ll mate with another one pollinate that plant and then mate with another
that plant and then mate with another
that plant and then mate with another one but they never actually get to mate
one but they never actually get to mate
one but they never actually get to mate with a real be so powerful is that
with a real be so powerful is that
with a real be so powerful is that pheromone that that work it produces own
pheromone that that work it produces own
pheromone that that work it produces own baby
baby
baby once that pollen is transferred to the
once that pollen is transferred to the
once that pollen is transferred to the next flower to the you know and lands on
next flower to the you know and lands on
next flower to the you know and lands on the right surface there we go
the right surface there we go
the right surface there we go that pollen actually sprouts a long tube
that pollen actually sprouts a long tube
that pollen actually sprouts a long tube which grows down down down deep into the
which grows down down down deep into the
which grows down down down deep into the flower into the hidden recess of that
flower into the hidden recess of that
flower into the hidden recess of that flower finds an unfertilized egg and
flower finds an unfertilized egg and
flower finds an unfertilized egg and then squirts its DNA into that egg and
then squirts its DNA into that egg and
then squirts its DNA into that egg and then a seed starts to grow it starts
then a seed starts to grow it starts
then a seed starts to grow it starts this whole process over so you have the
this whole process over so you have the
this whole process over so you have the next generation so I’m hope when you
next generation so I’m hope when you
next generation so I’m hope when you when you go walking around in the woods
when you go walking around in the woods
when you go walking around in the woods when you go walking around in a garden
when you go walking around in a garden
when you go walking around in a garden and you’re looking at beautiful flowers
and you’re looking at beautiful flowers
and you’re looking at beautiful flowers think a little bit about the magic of
think a little bit about the magic of
think a little bit about the magic of photosynthesis and what what not only
photosynthesis and what what not only
photosynthesis and what what not only this does for plants but that does for
this does for plants but that does for
this does for plants but that does for everything else in the world we really
everything else in the world we really
everything else in the world we really would not be here if it weren’t for
would not be here if it weren’t for
would not be here if it weren’t for plants and if it wasn’t for
plants and if it wasn’t for
plants and if it wasn’t for photosynthesis so I thank you very much
photosynthesis so I thank you very much
photosynthesis so I thank you very much [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
”
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